Tuesday, May 13, 2014

English Language Bookstore in Friedrichshain

The Former Friedrichshain Buchhandlung

The former Friedrichshain Buchhandlung (bookstore) is now Shakespeare and Sons, an English language bookstore and cafe. The Friedrichshain Buchhandlung was a used bookstore that catered to local residents while this new incarnation hopes to attract tourists and expats. The cafe portion, which features traditional bagels and pastries, is a nice addition to the store. The day I visited, I had a coffee (not bad) and a bagel (better than most). The prices were reasonable. There's plenty of seating, lots of natural light, and WiFi. Whether Shakespeare and Sons can succeed is a good question. I sure hope so! The traditional bookstore is an endangered species that's worth preserving.